Continuous envelope assembly



Jan. 11, 1944.

J. s. FLEMING 2,338,922

CONTINUOUS ENVELOPE ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed April 28, 1939 Jan. 11, 1944. J. 5. FLEMING CONTINUOUS ENVELOPE ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April 28, 1959 Patented Jan. 11, 1944 signor to American Sales Book Company, Inc., Niagara Falls, N. Y.,- a corporation of Delaware Original application April 28, 1939, Serial No. 270,678. Divided and this application May 22,

1941, Serial No. 394,691

Claims. (Cl. 22969) This invention relates to improvements in envelope construction, and more particularly to envelopes constructed and adapted to be connected together in a long continuous series so that they may be inscribed, addressed, etc., one after another along the series, and easily detached one after another from the series.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved construction of series connected envelopes thatcan be utilized for general purposes for receiving letters, circulars, and the like, for mailing, but it is especially constructed and adapted for use in connection with the making up of payrolls, wherein at times it is necessary that the envelopes contain a considerable amount of coin in change.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement for series connected envelopes of the class mentioned, especially adapting the series for assembly with long continuous record and transfer strips so that the envelopes may be fed together with the record strip assembly in various forms of writing machines and simultaneously inscribed with the record strips, and whereby the individual envelopes can be easily severed from the complete assembly with the inscribed record sheets or sections of record strips.

A further object of the invention is to provide a series of connected envelopes of the class mentioned having an improved arrangement for connecting them together-in the series, and for closing the individual envelope receiving openings.

According to another feature of improvement of the invention, a connecting band for the series of envelopes is arranged in a novel and advantageous'manner for effecting feed of the envelopes in various forms of writing machines and the like, and for providing closure flaps for the envelopes when separated from the assembly.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be in part pointed out in the following detailed description of certain illustrative but preferred embodiments of the invention, and will be in part obvious as the disclosure proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplifled in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more comprehensive disclosure of the nature, objects and advantages of the invention,

reference is bad to the following detailed description of the illustrativeembodiments, and to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a short section of a continuous envelope assembly constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a slightly modified embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical section through the open end of one of the envelopes showing the arrangement of the closure flap;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the man ner of assembling the continuous envelope assembly with an assembly of long continuous record and transfer strips;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged partially diagrammatic perspective view of the envelopes as assembled in Fig. 4, component parts being separated so as to disclose the structure and arrangement more clearly, and

Fig. 6 is a partially diagrammatic longitudinal vertical section through the assembly of Fig. 4 showing the arrangement of the envelopes, the section being taken substantially along the line of the assembly connectors.

The improvements shown and claimed herein are fully disclosed in applicant's prior copending application, Serial No. 270,678, filed on or about April 28, 1939, for Continuous interleaved envelope and record assembly. The present application, therefore, is a division of the prior application.

According to the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. l. the multiplicity of separate, individual envelopes I are arranged in a longitudinal series one after another. These envelopes may be made of paper or similar sheet material, each having a receiving openin 8 positioned at or near oneend thereof, the openings being positioned in substantially longitudinal alignment near one longitudinal ,margin of the series. Each receiving opening 8 communicates with the interior receiving compartment of the respective envelope but the opposite ends of the envelopes as well as the longitudinal edges thereof are closed. The closed ends and edges of the envelopes, as shown, are preferably formed by folding the sheet material to avoid connecting joints, thus making a strong construction well adapted for withstanding strains and stresses incident to heavy material, such as coins that are often necessarily placed in the envelopes to make up odd change for payroll use, and the like.

All of the envelopes of theseries are connected together into a single unit or strip by means of a longitudinally disposed connecting band 9, preferably of paper or similar sheet material and of suflicient flexibility. This connecting band is attached to the adjacent end portions of the envelopes by any preferred means such, for example, as applying it in overlapping relation with the marginal portions of the envelopes and attaching it thereto by adhesive means. The connecting band 9 is also formed with a longitudinal series of pin feed apertures It! for cooperation with pin feed mechanism that may be utilized for feeding the envelope series in various forms of writing machines, addressing machines, and the like. One of the important uses of the improved envelope series, as later more fully described, is for interleavement in transfer inscription relation with the long continuous record strips of a record assembly that may also be provided with transfer material for effecting the transfer inscriptions. When the envelope series is thus used the connecting band 9 functions in assisting to maintain the envelopes in their correct positions in the record assembly.

The envelope connecting and feed band 9 is positioned adjacent to the envelope Openings 8 of the envelope series whereby it can be utilized for providing closure flaps for the envelope openings. For this purpose the connecting band is provided with transverse weakened severance lines ll positioned in alignment with the spaces between adjacent envelopes. These severance lines ll may be formed by perforating, scoring, creasing, etc., so that the connecting band may be severed along these lines into individual closure flaps without employment of a severing or cutting implement, while, at the same time, the weakening is not suflicient to interfere with the envelope supporting attaching function. The connecting band 9 is also provided with a longitudinal weakened line I2 that may be formed in the same manner as the lines II. The line l2 weakens the connecting band to folding there along whereby the strip may be longitudinally folded over the envelope openings 8 to provide a closure. Also, the connecting band may be severed along the weakened line I2 in case it is desired to leave the envelopes open, or to close them by other means.

As shown in Fig. 3 the closure flap portion of the envelope connecting band 9 extending beyond the adjacent ends of the envelopes I may be provided on its lower surface with a coating l3 of adhesive material. The closure flaps for the individual envelopes can thus be folded into closing position over the receiving openings 8 and adhesively secured to the envelope surfaces to form a seal as indicated in the dotted lines in Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 2 the envelope'connecting feed band 9 may be provided with an additional longitudinal weakened line It formed in the same manner as the lines II and I2 so as to weaken the band to provide for severance of the outer portion or strip thereof having the pin feed apertures l0. When the weakened line I4 is employed the other longitudinal weakened line l2 may be omitted or retained, but the outwardly extending portion of the band may be arranged to provide closing and sealing flaps as described above in connection with Fig. 3, transverse weakened severance lines I] similar to those of Fig. 1 being provided for this purpose.

Since oneof the principal uses of the improved envelope series is for interleavement in manifolding assemblies, as above pointed out, the manner of incorporating the envelope series in such a manifolding assembly is herein particularly dislos Referrin to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the series of envelopes I is incorporated in a manifolding assembly I5 of long continuous traveller record strips I6, interleaved in transfer relation with which is transfer material for transferring the inscriptions made upon the upper or original record strip to the interleaved record surfaces. Such transfer material is shown in the form of long continuous traveller carbonized strips l1. substantially longitudinally coterminous with the record strips. The transfer strips are shown as being coated with carbon or transfer material I 8 on the under surfaces thereof so as to transfer inscriptions to the upper surfaces of the underlying strips and envelopes Portions of the transfer material I8 may be omitted from the transfer strip overlying the envelope series so as to omit portions of the inscribed data. Thus it may be convenient to transfer only names and addresses to the surfaces of the envelopes.

The record strips shown are slightly wider than the transfer strips having lateral extensions 1ying outwardly beyond the adjacent transfer strip edges and providing longitudinally disposed feed bands [9 that are positioned in depthwise alignment with the combined connecting and feed band 9 of the envelope series. The feed bands [9 are provided with'longitudinal series of pin feed apertures 20 respectively aligned with the pin feed apertures In of the connecting band 9. Thus, the feeding mechanism of the writing machines, can simultaneously cooperate with the feed bands of the record strips and envelope series for effecting feeding of the complete assembly in the writing machines for line spacing, etc. Longitudinal weakened severance lines 2| formed in a manner similar to that of the lines II and I2 are provided in the record strips extending along the feed bands I9, whereby said bands can be readily severed from the record strips.

Each of the record strips I6 is provided with transverse weakened severance lines 22 at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong dividing each strip'into form lengths or record sheets. The transfer strips I'I may be formed with similar transverse weakened lines 22. The transverse lines 22 are respectively aligned in depthwise groups with the transverse severance lines ll of the connecting band 9 of the envelope series. By means of this arrangement the assembly can be severed along the groups of transverse weakened severance lines into sheet sets, each containing one of the envelopes as well as the record and carbon sheets.

Fastening devices 23, such as light wire staples, textile thread and the like, extend through the assembly from top to bottom for the purpose of connecting and retaining the constituent parts thereof in correctly assembled relation. These filamentary binders 23 extend through the record and transfer strips directly upon the weakened severance lines 22. They also extend between adjacent envelopes I of the envelope series, preferably avoiding piercing the envelopes and thus prevent mutilation thereof, but functioning to assist in holding the envelopes in their correct position in theassembly.

The complete assembly thus described is ordinarily foldedinto a zigzag folded supply pack 24 convenient for handling and for loading into the be fed through an addressing or writing machine by means of the combined connecting and feeding band 9. But it is especially well adapted for combined use in the record assembly as de-- scribed. In either case when the addresses or other inscriptions have been made upon the en'- velopes they can be quickly and easily severed from the assembly along the weakened severance lines II. The currency or other material can then be inserted in the envelope through the receiving opening 8 and the envelope closed and sealed by means of the closure flap which is formed by the connecting band 9. If the longitudinal severance line ll of Fig. 2 is used, the

narrow band having the feed apertures II! can be easily removed by severing along this line, thus making a smoother and better seal.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An envelope assembly including a plurality of envelopes arranged in series formation, each envelope having a receiving opening extending along an edge thereof lying along a longitudinal marginal portion of the assembly, and a continuous longitudinally disposed envelope supporting and connecting strip connecting the envelopes in series relation and having parts lying respectively adjacent to and extending outwardly beyond said receiving openings so as to form closure flaps adapted to be turned in "closing relation over the respective'openings, said supporting and connecting strip having a longitudinal series of pin feed apertures and forming a feed band for the envelope series, transverse weakened severance lines longitudinally spaced along said envelope supporting and connecting strip and respectively positioned between adjacent envelopes for dividing said supporting strip into individual closure flap sections, and a longitudinal weakened severance line extending continuously along said connecting and supporting strip for substantially the entire length thereof and positioned inside of said series of pin feed apertures and outside of said envelope openings.

2. An envelope assembly including a plurality of envelopes arranged in series formation. each envelope having a receiving opening extending along an edge thereof lying along a longitudinal marginal portion of the assembly. a continuous longitudinally disposed envelope supporting and connecting strip connecting the envelopes in series relation, said supporting and connecting strip when in normal envelope supporting position overlapping the respective envelopes and adhesively attached thereto in supporting relation therewith, and having supporting parts extending outwardly beyond the edges of the envelopes said closure flaps and said longitudinal supportsubstantially in the planes thereof and adjacent to the openings thereof so as to formclosure flaps adapted to be turned in closing relation over the respective openings, said extending parts of said supporting and connecting strip having a longitudinal series of pin feed apertures to provide a feed band, and a longitudinal weakened severance line extending continuously along said connecting and supporting strip for substantially the entire length thereof and positioned inside of said series of pin feed apertures and outside of said envelope openings.v

3. An envelope assembly including a plurality of envelopes arranged in series formation, each envelope having a receiving. opening extending along an edge thereof lying along a longitudinal marginal portion of the assembly, a continuous longitudinally disposed envelope supporting and connecting strip connectingthe envelopes in series relation, said supporting and connecting strip extending beyond the edges of the respective envelopes adjacent to the said receiving openings thereof so as to form closure flaps adapted to fold in closing relation over the respectivereceiving openings, said supporting and connecting strip having also an outer longitudinal marginal supporting and controlling band extending continuously substantially for the assembly length, and a longitudinal weakened severance line extending continuously along said connecting and supporting strip for substantially the entire length thereof and positioned between the ing and controlling band.

4. An envelope assembly including a plurality of envelopes arranged in series formation, each envelope having a receiving opening extending along an edge thereof lying along a longitudinal marginal portion of the assembly, a continuous longitudinally disposed envelope supporting and connecting strip connecting the envelopes in series relation, said supporting and connecting strip extending beyond the edges of the respective envelopes adjacent to the said receiving openings thereof so as to form closure flaps adapted to fold in closing relation over the respective receiving openings, said supporting and connecting strip having also an outer longitudinal marginal supporting and controlling band extending continuously substantially for the assembly length, a longitudinal weakened severance line extending continuously along said connecting and supporting strip for substantially the entire length thereof and positioned between the said closure flaps and said longitudinal supporting and controlling band, and longitudinally spaced weakened severance lines intersecting said longitudinal severance line and extending transversely of said supporting and connecting strip for dividing the same into individual closure flaps.

5. An envelope assembly including a plurality of envelopes arranged in series formation, each envelope having a receiving opening extending along an edge thereof lying along a longitudinal marginal portion of the assembly, a continuous longitudinally disposed envelope supporting-and connecting strip connecting the envelopes in series relation, said supporting and connecting strip extending beyond the edges of the respective envelopes adjacent to the said receiving openings thereof so as to form closure flaps adapted to fold in closing relation over the respective receiving openings, said supporting and connecting strip having also an outer longitudinal marclosure flaps and said longitudinal supporting and controlling band, said envelopes being free from attachment with each other at their edge portions opposite to said supporting and connecting strip to provide for convenient assembly with '5 other elements.

' JOHN STUART FLEIVIING. 

